SIR Chris Hoy will be awarded the freedom of his home city later this month when thousands of people are expected to welcome back Edinburgh's Olympic and Paralympic stars.

The cyclist, Britain's most successful Olympian, will receive the honour after joining other sportsmen and women on an open-top bus tour through the city centre on Sunday September 16.

The ceremony will make him one of the few living recipients of the award which is also held by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Sir Sean Connery, Nelson Mandela and Burmese democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi.

Details of the event, which will celebrate Olympians and Paralympians who have a connection to Edinburgh, were announced by the city council.

The open-top bus leaves from the City Chambers at 2.15pm on the day, going up the Royal Mile and turning onto the Mound. It will make its way slowly down the hill, past the giant symbol of the Paralympic Games and will cross Princes Street on to Hanover Street where a post-box painted gold in Sir Chris's honour stands, officials said.

The final leg of the journey sees the bus turning right on to George Street, performing a short loop, before heading west along the street.

Hoy, who has six Olympic gold medals, two from London 2012, will then be given the freedom of the city during a private ceremony at the Assembly Rooms at around 3pm, watched by 500 invited guests. It will be followed by a civic reception, hosted by the Lord Provost in honour of the athletes, their coaches and support staff, as well as London 2012 officials and volunteers.

The City of Edinburgh Council said thousands of people are expected to line the streets to welcome the athletes home. Some will be able to meet their sporting heroes during walkabouts planned for the beginning and end of the parade, officials said.

Lord Provost Donald Wilson said: "This is Edinburgh's chance to welcome home its Olympic and Paralympic heroes and to honour their outstanding achievements at their respective Games. Of course, there will be an extra special welcome for Britain's greatest-ever Olympian, our own Chris Hoy, to whom it will be a great pleasure to award the freedom of the city of Edinburgh.

"It was very much his wish that this day be about celebrating with his teammates and I am hopeful that many of his fellow sportsmen and women will be able to join him on the parade and in the Assembly Rooms."

Edinburgh city councillors unanimously voted last month to give the honour to Sir Chris. It is granted to people who have distinguished themselves through their work or efforts, or to recognise the respect and high esteem in which they are held by the people of the city.

The cyclist has already been presented with the Edinburgh Award which honours outstanding individuals who have made a positive impact on the city. It was given to him in 2009.

The official victory parade for Scotland's Olympic heroes will be held on Friday September 14 in Glasgow, the host city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.